Aging with arthritis

According to an annual survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more and more people across the nation report they experience arthritis pain.

The C-D-C said the results suggest the number of people with the condition is bound to continue to increase as the American population ages.

Of the more than two-hundred-sixty-thousand randomly chosen adults surveyed, more than a quarter said they had been previously diagnosed with some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia [fibro-my-al-juh].

Not surprisingly, elderly adults aged sixty-five and older reported arthritis diagnoses more often than younger adults did. Overall, women reported arthritis diagnoses more often than men.

To make matters more difficult, the most reliable and accessible treatment for reducing loss of mobility caused by arthritis exercise is the last thing many people who hurt when they move want to do.

Nearly half of those people who reported having the condition also said they are less active because of their diagnosis.

Participants from all U-S states, Puerto Rico and Guam took the survey by phone. People in Southern states were more likely to report they were sedentary because of their condition.

The survey findings point toward another good reason for staying active maintaining mobility. So maybe next time the dog brings his leash over and begs to go for a walk, you can take him with the knowledge that a stroll around the neighborhood will be good for both his hips AND yours.